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[[Image:AppalachianTrail01.jpg|thumb|The Appalachian Trail‎]]

[[Image:AppalachianTrail01.jpg|thumb|The Appalachian Trail‎]]

The '''Appalachian Trail''' is a 2,175-mile long continuous hiking trail that runs through 14 of the eastern United States from [[Maine]] to [[Georgia]]. Approximately 4 million people each year hike on various parts of the trail, much of which borders the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The trail begins on the summit of [[Springer Mountain]] in northern [[Georgia]] and ends on the summit of [[Mount Katahdin]] in [[Maine]].  

The '''Appalachian Trail''' is a 2,175-mile long continuous hiking trail that runs through 14 of the eastern [[United States]] from [[Maine]] to [[Georgia]]. Approximately 4 million people each year hike on various parts of the trail, much of which borders the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The trail begins on the summit of [[Springer Mountain]] in northern [[Georgia]] and ends on the summit of [[Mount Katahdin]] in [[Maine]].  

The trail is officially named the "Appalachian National Scenic Trail" and is commonly abbreviated as the "A.T.". The entire trail route is clearly marked with signs showing white blazes.  

The trail is officially named the "''Appalachian National Scenic Trail''" and is commonly abbreviated as the "A.T.". The entire trail route is clearly marked with signs showing white blazes.  

The [[U.S. Forest Service]] and the [[National Park Service]] are the primary agencies responsible for maintaining the Appalachian trail. The Trail runs through more than 75 different federal and state forests. Much of the trail is maintained by National Park Service Rangers who are assisted by the [[Appalachian Trail Conservancy]], a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and management of the trail, and by many civilian volunteer groups who donate their time towards keeping the park lands and trail maintained. <ref> http://www.nps.gov/appa/ </ref> There is no charge to hike the rail, and hikers are provided with free lodging in the form of simple three sided shelters, each spaced about a day's journey apart.  <ref> http://www.trailplace.com/ </ref>

The United States Forest Service and the [[National Park Service]] are the primary agencies responsible for maintaining the Appalachian trail. The Trail runs through more than 75 different federal and state forests. Much of the trail is maintained by National Park Service Rangers who are assisted by the [[Appalachian Trail Conservancy]], a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and management of the trail, and by many civilian volunteer groups who donate their time towards keeping the park lands and trail maintained. <ref> http://www.nps.gov/appa/ </ref> There is no charge to hike the rail, and hikers are provided with free lodging in the form of simple three sided shelters, each spaced about a day's journey apart.  <ref> http://www.trailplace.com/ </ref>

The idea for the Appalachian trail is credited to [[Benton MacKaye]] of [[Massachusetts]], who later founded the [[Wilderness Society]].  

The idea for the Appalachian trail is credited to [[Benton MacKaye]] of [[Massachusetts]], who later founded the [[Wilderness Society]].  

A [[Harvard]] graduate and U.S. Forest Service employee, MacKaye was a wilderness preservation advocate with an interest in regional planning. His idea was to have a network of work camps and communities in the Appalachian mountains, linked by a trail that ran from the highest point in [[New England]] to the highest point in the South.  

A [[Harvard]] graduate and U.S. Forest Service employee, MacKaye was a wilderness preservation advocate with an interest in regional planning. His idea was to have a network of work camps and communities in the Appalachian mountains, linked by a trail that ran from the highest point in [[New England]] to the highest point in the South.  

MacKaye wrote an article detailing his plans which was published in October of 1921 in the Journal of the [[American Institute of Architects]]. He then organized a group of interested individuals and in 1925 held a conference in [[Washington, D.C.]], to promote his idea. This group established an organization called the [[Appalachian Trail Conference]], which was renamed in 2005 and is today known as the [[Appalachian Trail Conservancy]].

MacKaye wrote an article detailing his plans which was published in October of 1921 in the Journal of the [[American Institute of Architects]]. He then organized a group of interested individuals and in 1925 held a conference in [[Washington, D.C.]], to promote his idea. This group established an organization called the ''Appalachian Trail Conference'', which was renamed in 2005 and is today known as the [[Appalachian Trail Conservancy]].

Two members of MacKaye's group, retired Judge Arthur Perkins of [[Connecticut]], and lawyer Myron Avery of Washington, D.C., became driving forces in establishing the trail, working to recruit volunteers, establish hiking clubs, and physically clearing brush and marking paths themselves. Avery in particular was key in establishing a network of volunteers, developing hiking clubs, and working with governmental agencies to organize and build the trail.  

Two members of MacKaye's group, retired Judge Arthur Perkins of [[Connecticut]], and lawyer Myron Avery of Washington, D.C., became driving forces in establishing the trail, working to recruit volunteers, establish hiking clubs, and physically clearing brush and marking paths themselves. Avery in particular was key in establishing a network of volunteers, developing hiking clubs, and working with governmental agencies to organize and build the trail.